Obama, Romney have White House turkey chili summit

President Barack Obama spent more than an hour with Mitt Romney at the White House on Thursday, as the one-time rivals shared lunch and discussed their ideas for keeping the United States competitive in a changing world.

The discussion focused on “America’s leadership in the world and the importance of maintaining that leadership position in the future,” the White House said. Romney also congratulated Obama for winning re-election.

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Carney: Lunch not press event

There was no mention of any formal collaboration, but they “pledged to stay in touch, particularly if opportunities to work together on shared interests arise in the future,” the White House said. There was no talk of Romney joining the Obama administration, a source familiar with the lunch said.

The menu for the lunch included white turkey chili and Southwestern grilled chicken salad. Afterwards, Obama and Romney spent a few minutes in the Oval Office. The White House released a photo of the men shaking hands near Obama’s desk taken by official photographer Pete Souza.

The meeting was far different than the last time they met a month ago for their final presidential debate, before the tense final days of the campaign and the Romney concession call. They discussed maintaining the country’s leading role going forward in domestic and foreign policy, the source said. Part of that discussion was about how to strengthen the innovation economy.

Obama and Romney pledged to stay in touch, particularly if issues arise where they can work on shared interests, the source added.

Romney was smiling as he headed into the White House just before 12:30, after climbing out of the front seat of a black SUV. He smiled as he entered the West Wing, wearing a gray suit and blue striped tie. No staffers or friends followed him into the building.

Unlike past meetings between presidents and the candidates they defeated, this one was closed to press — without even a brief foray into the room for news photographers. Instead, access was limited to what the White House chose to release after the meeting.

“Each man wanted to have a private conversation. They didn’t want to turn it into a press event,” White House press secretary Jay Carney said during his Thursday briefing, which took place as Obama and Romney were meeting.

Obama first indicated a willingness to meet with Romney on election night, following the example of the meeting he and Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) had soon after the 2008 election. Obama elaborated at his post-election press conference, saying that Romney “ presented some ideas during the course of the campaign that I actually agree with” and that it would be “interesting to talk to him about something like that.”

Obama campaign manager Jim Messina contacted Romney campaign manager Matt Rhoades a week after the election to set up the meeting. Obama’s team suggested Nov. 29 and Romney agreed. Just like any other visitor to the White House, Romney had to provide his Social Security number, birth date and other personal information to gain access to the grounds.

Earlier Thursday, Romney had breakfast with his running mate, Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) at a hotel near the White House. Afterwards, Ryan released a statement thanking Romney for putting him on the ticket.

“I remain grateful to Governor Romney for the honor of joining his ticket this fall, and I cherish our friendship,” Ryan said. “I’m proud of the principles and ideas we advanced during the campaign and the commitment we share to expanding opportunity and promoting economic security for American families.”

I know Romney is till suffering from Romnesia so be careful when dealing with him O. Whatever Romney says in private cannot be verify so never bring it up in public because Romney may deny it and no way to verify it. Romnesia is real!

What you don't see is that moments before, Romney pinched a couple of the official Presidential pens (presumably, to use as accessories for the Oval Office Room Ann's had built over the garage in La Jolla).

Romney had to have a security clearance? Seriously? His Social Security number was required!?

Hmm, do former Presidents also have to pass this same security clearance and provide their SSN as well? I'm curious... After Romney just spent months being heavily protected by the Secret Service, they still needed more info on the guy?? I just find that kinda funny.